Tried to attempt something a little more creative than a 3/4 wedgie, but got shot down for PAQ. I know the power doesnt typically give a shot any more merit than the next, but I felt like this was a little more "artsy". Original link expired, so I'll post the file below. Is there anything I can do to save this one?

IMO the reason the accepted works and the rejected doesn't is the difference in the background behind the train. Simple and open in the accepted helps lend to a silhouette effect, lots more trees/shrubs/buildings that block the train silhouette.

I am kinda thinking a later frame with with the lead further left screening out or showing up against the white buildings, at the very least past the garage doors(I assume you kept shooting). A little shadow reduction and clear up the little flare in the foreground. I think it is a very attractive scene and with that light the saturated colors are believable, maybe could back off vibrance a little

Thanks Bob, and I actually have a shot that fits what you described. a problem I see with it is maybe the train is kind of cut of awkwardly on the right.

I think it's dark enough on the right to hide the train being cut off. While this is better than the first frame, I don't think you have enough "silhouette" to make it work, but that's just my two cents. Too much stuff in the background.

Thanks Bob, and I actually have a shot that fits what you described. a problem I see with it is maybe the train is kind of cut of awkwardly on the right.

I am sorry, I don't know what you mean about being cut off on right but looking at the revised I'd think crop a little on the right to the elevator and off the bottom so the train does not bisect the image and also makes the train a little more prominent. Submit as new version in screener note, but since your original is out of recent history hopefully will not be an issue.

I think whenever you can get sun "rays?" shooting out like that is a special photo. Too dark may come up but hopefully not PAQ which is a real downer.

"I think whenever you can get sun "rays?" shooting out like that is a special photo. Too dark may come up but hopefully not PAQ which is a real downer."

Those look more like a product from the lens caused by shooting straight into the sun to me. Typically, you will not see so many rays bunched together like that, and the "pillars" are generally larger. You'll also note the "rays" are present between the photographer and locomotive, which is another clue saying lens effect to me.

I do salute the OP for trying something different, but concur this one is not likely to be accepted into the database.

As for your shot, it looks like the sun was just too high and too strong for the type of picture you were taking. It's a shame that it didn't come by in the morning for you as that would've made a great shot at Seven Mile.

It's nice to see some other members who are local. As for the picture, I agree with you, a morning shot would've looked much better. Seven mile has many good spots to shoot from. As it turns out, this train apparently got held up because of a switch malfunction, so that caused a few problems. Had it not been for that, they would've probably got down this far a lot earlier. Still, I'm glad I got the shot I did. Cheers!